An animal campaigner is pleading with the Scottish Government to scrap the use of all snares.

John Robins, from Cardross-based Animal Concern Advice Line has called on Roseanna Cunningham, the Scottish Government Minister with responsibility for animal welfare to ban the devices which cause “unnecessary suffering”, terminology used by government Department Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).

The body made the decision to ban the use of snares to kill mountain hares because of the distress caused.

Late last year, the SSPCA launched a special investigation team to crack down on the use of illegal snares which kill and maim animals by tightening as the animals move, strangling and crushing them after Skittles the cat, managed to walk back to her home with two snares attached to her after she strayed into them in Renton.

SNH has issued guidance on killing injured non-target animals, including cats, after they have been caught in snares and has called for a new Code of Practice on the use of snares as well as recommending modifications to snare design to try and reduce the suffering inflicted on animals.

But campaigner Mr Robins feels this doesn’t go far enough.

Dumbarton animal rights campaigner John Robbins

He said: “Enough is enough. Rather than listen to animal welfare experts and totally ban snares the Scottish Government continues to kowtow to the very small minority of people who use these cruel traps to kill native wildlife.

“For years our government ministers have been issuing guidelines and modifying snare designs yet SNH admit snares still catch non-target species and cause unnecessary suffering to animals.

“Gamekeepers use these cruel traps to kill native wild animals which naturally predate on the eggs and young of tame non-native pheasants which are bred to be shot. For how much longer are our government ministers prepared to ignore public opinion and instead bend over backwards to accommodate gamekeepers?

“There must be no more tinkering with guidelines and minor modifications to snare designs.